Award winners are Ambassadors

I see a lot of opportunity in the charity world to be clapped on the back for your achievements. Throughout the year there are a number of award ceremonies accompanied by expensive dinners. The larger charities “invest” donor money to attend and reap the reward of a gong or two. The smaller charities are disenfranchised by not being able to afford to attend and the socially aware stay away. I can not think that there are many donors who would be happy if they knew that their donation was used to fund a night out! Sadly these awards seem to be focused on celebration rather than developing a better sector.
When someone receives an award, for say a well run lobbying campaign, there should be some commitment to share their knowledge and experience. Rather than just stand up once to collect the shinny peace of Perspex they should commit to stand up a number of times throughout the coming year and pass on why they where chosen for the award. I would like to see an award ceremony change the way they do things to include this ambassadorial role. I’m sure that some people will then turn down the award but then we will know who are only after self engrandesment!